The modeling industry is notorious for fostering an unhealthy environment for nursing malnourished supermodels who work under brutal conditions.
The latest news is that British Vogue is signing a 10-part model code of conduct that lays down the law of how models should be treated during photo shoots.
VIDEO: Alexander Wang Talks His Past, Present & Future With Vogue Voices
The goal is to instigate an industry-wide movement to improve working conditions and encourage healthy lifestyle choices for models.
British Vogue is the first-ever publication to take a public stance on this issue.
Highlights from the code, written by Equity, a union who represents models and actresses, are as follows:
British Vogue models…
…cannot work for more than 10 hour a day.
…will be fed adequately.
…will have mandatory breaks, adequate bathroom facilities, and proper transporation.
…will be paid promptly.
…will not do nude or semi-nude shots unless they’ve agreed to it in advance.
…will not have their hair cut without their consent.
…will not work in unreasonable temperatures for the kind of clothes being modeled.
…are forbidden from appearing like grownups if they are under the age of 16. (Remember 10-year-old Thylane Lena-Rose Blondeau’s controversial French Vogue shoot?)
WWD reports that the code also insists that, “no model should be asked to do anything ‘dangerous, degrading, unprofessional or demeaning.'”
Alexandra Shulman, editor-in-chief of British Vogue, explains that the code is just another part of an iniative backed by modeling agencies and 20 international Vogue editors, to mentor young models on healthy body image in the industry.
PHOTOS: Rita Ora Gets Her Model Ish On For Vogue Italia Feature Teaser
Similar agreements have come up before, but for the sake of all the Kate Upton’s out there, let’s hope this one really gets through to magazines and editors.
It is saddening that models are sacrificing their own well-being for the sake of pretty pictures! Their health is worth more than a thousand words!
SOURCE: WWD
